2012 Peugeot 3008 1.6L Diesel · LC12 AAZ

A clear mechanical narrative emerges from the MOT history of this 2012 Peugeot 3008, centred on progressive front suspension wear compounded by chronic lighting lens degradation. The most recent test on 6 July 2026 recorded a pass, but both headlamps were again flagged for product contamination on the lenses, a defect first noted in 2024 and recurring across multiple cycles. More significantly, the 2026 advisories identify worn lower arm rear bushes on both the nearside and offside front suspension, a condition that has now appeared in three consecutive annual tests in slightly varying forms. The 2023 entry noted rear bushes at the front lower arms, the 2025 entry recorded both rear bushes splitting bilaterally alongside heavily worn trailing arm bushes, and the 2026 retest confirms ongoing wear. Additionally, a failure was recorded at the same 2025-07-04 test date due to deep cuts in both rear and front tyres exceeding ply depth, accompanied by a minor for splitting wiper blades and an advisory for rear brake disc wear. The cumulative pattern indicates a vehicle that continues to pass but is accumulating repeated suspension component degradation and lighting concerns that warrant close physical inspection. With 150,522 miles accumulated over approximately 14 years, the vehicle averages around 10,752 miles annually, which sits broadly within typical parameters for its age and avoids the extremes of either low-mileage disuse or excessive high-mileage wear. Testing frequency has remained consistent on an annual basis since at least 2023, with no multi-year gaps that would suggest the vehicle was laid up or off the road. Mileage progression between recorded tests appears steady rather than exhibiting sudden jumps or long dormant periods. At this accumulated distance, mechanical expectations should focus on items that suffer proportional wear with distance travelled, particularly the suspension components already flagged, braking hardware, tyres, and general underbody condition given the age and exposure to road surfaces and corrosion-promoting conditions over more than a decade of service. A prospective buyer should treat the recurring front lower arm rear bush advisories as the priority inspection item, as three consecutive years of recorded wear on the same components indicates a progressive deterioration rather than an isolated observation. On a test drive, listen for clonking or knocking noises from the front suspension when traversing speed bumps, potholes, or uneven road surfaces, and feel for any vagueness or imprecise response through the steering when changing direction at moderate speed. The lower arm bushes are load-bearing items that influence handling precision, and once movement becomes excessive they can fail an MOT outright. The 2025 record also noted heavily worn trailing arm bushes which received a benefit on test, meaning they were within tolerance but close to the limit, so physically inspecting the rear axle bushes for cracking, deformation, or separation is sensible. Additionally, given the consistent advisory for product contamination on the headlamp lenses, both units should be examined for hazing, yellowing, or moisture ingress, and the owner should be questioned as to whether restoration or replacement has been carried out, as severely degraded lenses can result in an MOT failure rather than a mere advisory. Braking hardware also merits targeted attention, with rear brake disc wear noted as an advisory in both 2025 tests and front brake disc wear flagged in 2023, suggesting the discs and pads are approaching replacement thresholds at this mileage. During a test drive, listen for any scraping, grinding, or squealing from the brakes, feel for pulsation or judder through the brake pedal which would indicate warped discs, and check for any pulling to one side under braking. The wiper blades were recorded as splitting in 2025, a minor item, but their condition should still be verified as deteriorated wiper effectiveness compromises visibility. Given the tyre-related failure in 2025, all four tyres should be examined closely for cuts, bulges, sidewall damage, and tread depth, with particular scrutiny of any tyres that may have been replaced at differing ages. Finally, although the MOT record contains no advisories specifically concerning corrosion, structural integrity, fluid leaks, or exhaust emissions, a 14-year-old vehicle with this mileage should still be subjected to a thorough visual underbody inspection, ideally with the vehicle raised, to identify any developing corrosion on subframes, brake pipes, and suspension components that has not yet progressed to the threshold required for an advisory.